We only truly have 9 players taking up cap space as Joyner is on a TC so we only have $ to add ONE more player to the roster (if we keep Joyner) I agree that we will probably sniff up some FA Gs who have been playing overseas. With a lot of the Covid hold outs last year, there is still a lot of mid range talent at the 14 pick.
Our chemistry will be an interesting thing to keep an eye on. The positive is we have a lot of pieces returning this year, and I have good expectations for our new All-Star signings. 1) Sky already played with Jewell…AND she was an immediate game changer for the ‘21 Mercury. 2) Nneka is simply the type of player that makes people better around her.
It’s also exciting because our young players can learn from these greats and not have all of the pressure to be a starter before they’re ready.
Thoughts on the Copper trade? Seems it certainly adds Phoenix as significant competition in the race to catch Las Vegas and New York. Also could have ramifications for who declares for the draft, with Phoenix no longer in the lottery, and Chicago (probably a less appealing destination for some potential draftees) now in it.
The Copper trade surprised me a bit because they had just signed Kah to a new extension before the end of last season. I also had heard rumors that the Phoenix Mercury were going to add both Natasha Cloud and EDD. They signed Cloud in Free Agency but since the Washington Mystics put the core tag on Delle Donne that meant the Mercury were going to need to trade assets to the Mystics in order to get Delle Donne.
I have a feeling that Washington was asking for the #3 overall pick and once that was the case the Mercury's front office probably asked themselves if an older EDD with legit injury history was the best they could get with a Top 3 draft pick.
I haven't read the full reports yet from Chicago, but I wouldn't be surprised if Copper also asked to be traded. From what I know, in Chicago they were hoping that they'd sign either Skylar Diggins-Smith or Nneka Ogwumike. When both came to Seattle, Copper probably looked around and realized the organization wasn't going to be bringing in big talent to help her and may have requested a trade at that point.
Phoenix then probably got word of that or maybe they just saw the situation in Chicago and started negotiating the deal to bring Copper to the Mercury. If obviously took a lot, with the 3rd overall pick, a future first, a 2nd round pick, and some current players. But I still think the trade probably is a win for Phoenix. And ultimately, probably better than getting EDD.
I also completely understand why the Mercury are going all out this season. It's very likely Diana Taurasi's last season as she's held on to try and win this 6th Gold Medal. Plus, they made a really poor trade last year that gave the New York Liberty swap rights in 2025. If they weren't super aggressive and making all of these moves, they'd like end up in the lottery again and be gifting the Liberty possibly the #1 overall pick in 2025.
The Mercury made three big moves in trading for Kahleah Copper, trading for Rebecca Allen, and signing Natasha Cloud. Their starting five is probably Cloud (PG), Taurasi (SG), Copper (SF), either Allen or Cunningham (PF), and Griner (C).
Similar to the Storm, I think they're lacking somewhat from the bench. But they will have either Allen or Cunningham coming off the bench as the 6th person and that's a strong piece.
At first glance, I believe Seattle's lineup is stronger. I think I'd rate it like this.
Diggins Smith > Cloud
Loyd > Taurasi
Jordan < Copper
Ogwumike > Allen or Cunningham
Magbegor < Griner
Phoenix's bench might be a little better right now. But that also really depends on some big questions for Seattle. Does Mercedes bounce back and have a stronger season? Does Jade or Dulcy show big improvement from Year 1? Also, maybe Seattle lands another good piece either in Free Agency or the Draft that can boost that 2nd unit.
Ultimately, I think Seattle will finish with a better record than the Mercury but we will see....
How about signing Te'a Cooper? Could you sign her to a minimum? What are the odds that Kitley falls to the Storm in the draft? She's a big who can score, rebound and play defense. She also has a nice 3 point shot.
Te'a Cooper could be an option. She hasn't played in the WNBA since 2021, so if that were to happen, it would definitely be a training camp contract. Chennedy Carter is another name of a player that has put up some big numbers but has also been out of the WNBA for a year or two. I'll be curious to see if any team wants to try and take her own since she seems to have burned bridges in college and her two WNBA teams that she played for.
As far as Elizabeth Kitley, I do think there is a chance that the Storm could draft her at 14 or that she would still be available. From most mock drafts I've seen, she generally isn't listed as a first-round pick. Occasionally, she is towards the very end of the first round.
I got to watch Kitley up close and personal during the NCAA March Madness tournament in Seattle last year. I honestly have questions on whether or not her game will translate to the WNBA or not. I'm not certain she has enough lateral quickness and speed. I feel players like Ezi Magbegor and Breanna Stewart could easily drive by her. With that said, I do think Kitley has a nice offensive game and if she's still there at 14, she could be the best remaining talent. I think the team has bigger needs at the guard/wing position but I'm also a believer of picking the best talent available.
I really like Kitley and have followed her for several years, but I agree with your concerns about her game translating to the W. She reminds me of a slightly feistier and more skilled version of Elissa Cunane, but still athletically challenged and her game is more finesse than power. Might be worth taking a flier on her, but I like the idea of Stef Dolson for this team more.
I don’t like the overuse of the word “tank.” You said the Storm could “tank again” for a draft pick. The Storm did not “tank”before. Here is the definition of the word: “a team intentionally losing games or performing poorly in order to obtain a higher draft pick in the upcoming draft or to start rebuilding for future seasons”
Well no professional team is going to claim they are tanking or say they are tanking. From my perspective, after losing Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird to retirement, the talent that they filled the roster with was mainly younger players or players that didn't stick around on their previous teams. I do believe that the Storm hoped to put a competitive team together in 2023. They didn't purposefully "tank" but they also put together a team that may end up being - not great. I believe it was even Noelle Quinn that mentioned a couple of times, where the 2023 season wasn't necessarily a terrible year to be bad knowing that the 2024 draft class looked to be very talented.
Excellent points Jeff!
We only truly have 9 players taking up cap space as Joyner is on a TC so we only have $ to add ONE more player to the roster (if we keep Joyner) I agree that we will probably sniff up some FA Gs who have been playing overseas. With a lot of the Covid hold outs last year, there is still a lot of mid range talent at the 14 pick.
Our chemistry will be an interesting thing to keep an eye on. The positive is we have a lot of pieces returning this year, and I have good expectations for our new All-Star signings. 1) Sky already played with Jewell…AND she was an immediate game changer for the ‘21 Mercury. 2) Nneka is simply the type of player that makes people better around her.
It’s also exciting because our young players can learn from these greats and not have all of the pressure to be a starter before they’re ready.
Thank you for the correction, I missed that last night! I've updated the story as such.
Jeff…
Thoughts on the Copper trade? Seems it certainly adds Phoenix as significant competition in the race to catch Las Vegas and New York. Also could have ramifications for who declares for the draft, with Phoenix no longer in the lottery, and Chicago (probably a less appealing destination for some potential draftees) now in it.
The Copper trade surprised me a bit because they had just signed Kah to a new extension before the end of last season. I also had heard rumors that the Phoenix Mercury were going to add both Natasha Cloud and EDD. They signed Cloud in Free Agency but since the Washington Mystics put the core tag on Delle Donne that meant the Mercury were going to need to trade assets to the Mystics in order to get Delle Donne.
I have a feeling that Washington was asking for the #3 overall pick and once that was the case the Mercury's front office probably asked themselves if an older EDD with legit injury history was the best they could get with a Top 3 draft pick.
I haven't read the full reports yet from Chicago, but I wouldn't be surprised if Copper also asked to be traded. From what I know, in Chicago they were hoping that they'd sign either Skylar Diggins-Smith or Nneka Ogwumike. When both came to Seattle, Copper probably looked around and realized the organization wasn't going to be bringing in big talent to help her and may have requested a trade at that point.
Phoenix then probably got word of that or maybe they just saw the situation in Chicago and started negotiating the deal to bring Copper to the Mercury. If obviously took a lot, with the 3rd overall pick, a future first, a 2nd round pick, and some current players. But I still think the trade probably is a win for Phoenix. And ultimately, probably better than getting EDD.
I also completely understand why the Mercury are going all out this season. It's very likely Diana Taurasi's last season as she's held on to try and win this 6th Gold Medal. Plus, they made a really poor trade last year that gave the New York Liberty swap rights in 2025. If they weren't super aggressive and making all of these moves, they'd like end up in the lottery again and be gifting the Liberty possibly the #1 overall pick in 2025.
The Mercury made three big moves in trading for Kahleah Copper, trading for Rebecca Allen, and signing Natasha Cloud. Their starting five is probably Cloud (PG), Taurasi (SG), Copper (SF), either Allen or Cunningham (PF), and Griner (C).
Similar to the Storm, I think they're lacking somewhat from the bench. But they will have either Allen or Cunningham coming off the bench as the 6th person and that's a strong piece.
At first glance, I believe Seattle's lineup is stronger. I think I'd rate it like this.
Diggins Smith > Cloud
Loyd > Taurasi
Jordan < Copper
Ogwumike > Allen or Cunningham
Magbegor < Griner
Phoenix's bench might be a little better right now. But that also really depends on some big questions for Seattle. Does Mercedes bounce back and have a stronger season? Does Jade or Dulcy show big improvement from Year 1? Also, maybe Seattle lands another good piece either in Free Agency or the Draft that can boost that 2nd unit.
Ultimately, I think Seattle will finish with a better record than the Mercury but we will see....
How about signing Te'a Cooper? Could you sign her to a minimum? What are the odds that Kitley falls to the Storm in the draft? She's a big who can score, rebound and play defense. She also has a nice 3 point shot.
Te'a Cooper could be an option. She hasn't played in the WNBA since 2021, so if that were to happen, it would definitely be a training camp contract. Chennedy Carter is another name of a player that has put up some big numbers but has also been out of the WNBA for a year or two. I'll be curious to see if any team wants to try and take her own since she seems to have burned bridges in college and her two WNBA teams that she played for.
As far as Elizabeth Kitley, I do think there is a chance that the Storm could draft her at 14 or that she would still be available. From most mock drafts I've seen, she generally isn't listed as a first-round pick. Occasionally, she is towards the very end of the first round.
I got to watch Kitley up close and personal during the NCAA March Madness tournament in Seattle last year. I honestly have questions on whether or not her game will translate to the WNBA or not. I'm not certain she has enough lateral quickness and speed. I feel players like Ezi Magbegor and Breanna Stewart could easily drive by her. With that said, I do think Kitley has a nice offensive game and if she's still there at 14, she could be the best remaining talent. I think the team has bigger needs at the guard/wing position but I'm also a believer of picking the best talent available.
I really like Kitley and have followed her for several years, but I agree with your concerns about her game translating to the W. She reminds me of a slightly feistier and more skilled version of Elissa Cunane, but still athletically challenged and her game is more finesse than power. Might be worth taking a flier on her, but I like the idea of Stef Dolson for this team more.
💯 on the Cunane/Kitley comp.
I don’t like the overuse of the word “tank.” You said the Storm could “tank again” for a draft pick. The Storm did not “tank”before. Here is the definition of the word: “a team intentionally losing games or performing poorly in order to obtain a higher draft pick in the upcoming draft or to start rebuilding for future seasons”
Well no professional team is going to claim they are tanking or say they are tanking. From my perspective, after losing Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird to retirement, the talent that they filled the roster with was mainly younger players or players that didn't stick around on their previous teams. I do believe that the Storm hoped to put a competitive team together in 2023. They didn't purposefully "tank" but they also put together a team that may end up being - not great. I believe it was even Noelle Quinn that mentioned a couple of times, where the 2023 season wasn't necessarily a terrible year to be bad knowing that the 2024 draft class looked to be very talented.